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Chicago Fire Department
[quote name='GA_Dave' date='31 January 2010 - 03:09 PM' timestamp='1264970999' post='361418']

Thanks to all for the updated info and to Steve for the pic of Snorkel 7. I still question the correct size of Snorkels 6 and 7. The Iconografix book shows Snorkel 6 as an 85' Strato-Tower, which is where I got that info. You say they were 65' instead. I have compared photos with known 65' and 85' Strato-Towers from other FD's and with the 55' and 75' Pitmans and I believe that the Chicago Strato-Towers may have been 75' units. They appear to be too long to only be 65'. Can anyone verify what size they were, perhaps from an old roster or other document?



I'm still hunting photos of SS-2's 1957/62 IHC/Erlinder and Snorkel 4's 1966 IHC/Pierce.

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Ken Little's CFD Station History books have Snorkel 6 and 7 listed as 70-footers (if there ever was such a height). I guess I'm not really 100% sure what they were. They sure don't look like 85-footers.
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I believe I've posted this photo before, Dave. It's a 1962 Polaroid 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 black & white photo that Paige Van Vorst took at one of the practice sessions for Chicago's Thrill Show that was held annually at Soldiers Field. Paige and I had taken a Greyhound Bus down to Chicago to visit the CFD at age 15. We stayed at the downtown YMCA Hotel on Wabash. It was our first out-of-town buffing trip!



You can see the difference in the cabinets of the two Snorkel Squads (SS-2 on left, SS-1 at right). They ended up adding a canopy hood later under the snorkel boom (just behind the cab). I think Steve Reddick has a photo that he had posted of SS-2 with the canopy.



- 1962 Photo by Paige Van Vorst


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[quote name='bender' date='31 January 2010 - 01:23 PM' timestamp='1264964580' post='361408']

nice shot of the old ladder. what a pity the old ambulance is hidden

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Here she is! Chicago FD Ambulance 9, I believe a 1969 Cadillac.



-1970 Photo by Duane Troxel


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Quote:You can see the difference in the cabinets of the two Snorkel Squads (SS-2 on left, SS-1 at right).



I noticed that the compartments were different. If you have Walt McCall's "American Fire Engines since 1900", check out the pic on page 311. The same rig that is identified as SS-1 in your photo is seen there, lettered for SS-2. In Paul Barrett's book "Elevating Platforms", it is shown again, lettered for SS-1. I have also found pics of it, taken by Steve Reddick and lettered for SS-1. What I haven't located is a shot of the one with long compartment doors, lettered for SS-2 and posed by itself. If Steve posted one, I haven't found it.
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found it...not sure who the photographer is..either Jack Connors or George Brown I think


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Thank you!!!!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hail.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Hail' />
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[quote name='GA_Dave' date='31 January 2010 - 03:09 PM' timestamp='1264970999' post='361418']

Thanks to all for the updated info and to Steve for the pic of Snorkel 7. I still question the correct size of Snorkels 6 and 7. The Iconografix book shows Snorkel 6 as an 85' Strato-Tower, which is where I got that info. You say they were 65' instead. I have compared photos with known 65' and 85' Strato-Towers from other FD's and with the 55' and 75' Pitmans and I believe that the Chicago Strato-Towers may have been 75' units. They appear to be too long to only be 65'. Can anyone verify what size they were, perhaps from an old roster or other document?



I'm still hunting photos of SS-2's 1957/62 IHC/Erlinder and Snorkel 4's 1966 IHC/Pierce.

[/quote]

Yes Steve Skaar is correct ,in Ken Little's "History of Chicago Fire House's" Snorkels 6 and 7 are listed as 70 footers.That was somewhat surprising as most Snorkel's tended to be built in denominations of 5 such 65,75 and 85 feet.



The International Harvester Erlinders that were assigned to SS-1 and SS-2 were on 1956/62's and not 1957 models. They were originally the cab's and chassis for two of five 1956 model High Pressure Wagons.
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[quote name='firebuff55407' date='31 January 2010 - 09:30 PM' timestamp='1264993815' post='361482']

Here she is! Chicago FD Ambulance 9, I believe a 1969 Cadillac.



-1970 Photo by Duane Troxel

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Question: Did the firemen staff the Ambulances or did civilan personel? Also can anyone give us a run down on Reserve Snorkel 1? What a cool rig. Are they planning to keep it? Why did CFD drop the Snorkel's except for what I still call Snorkel Squads?



Thanks in advsnce.



Stay Safe, Rick
Member: F.O.O.L.S of OZ, IAFF L2542

www.kansasfiretrucks.com

Rick Mosher
Olathe, Kansas Fire Department
Engine Co. 4
Metro Kansas City, Missouri
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Okay, it makes sense that they would have been 70'. Around the same time, ALF introduced their Aero Chief platform. The first two had devices built by Strato-Tower and both were 70'. In comparing the shots of Snorkels 6 and 7 to the second 70' Aero Chief, I would say that they are all the same size.



Thanks for all the assistance and patience as I muddle through all this. I've created a database of all the info for future reference. Now, just one more picture to find!
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Quote:Of what rig?



The 1966 International CO-8190/Pierce 75' Pitman that was Snorkel 4.
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As I have mentioned before I am now working on a book featuring my Dad's old Kodachromes.....well I came across a shot I just had to share with you guys. This is a 5-11 alarm at 1872 N Wilmot in February 1958. The depth of field is kinda rough but I love this shot...You can see 2 56 macks and in the middle a Mack sedan pumper working as well as the remnants of the fire building, complete with wooden ground ladders. I love this shot...makes me feel like I am there!!!! The rearmost Mack is engine 76, and the front one is I believe 43..notice the hard suction hook up....This shot looks as good now as when it was taken over 50 years ago...amazing!!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BananaMan.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='BananaMan' />


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[quote name='Srresquire' date='11 February 2010 - 11:16 AM' timestamp='1265903798' post='363557']

As I have mentioned before I am now working on a book featuring my Dad's old Kodachromes.....well I came across a shot I just had to share with you guys. This is a 5-11 alarm at 1872 N Wilmot in February 1958. The depth of field is kinda rough but I love this shot...You can see 2 56 macks and in the middle a Mack sedan pumper working as well as the remnants of the fire building, complete with wooden ground ladders. I love this shot...makes me feel like I am there!!!! The rearmost Mack is engine 76, and the front one is I believe 43..notice the hard suction hook up....This shot looks as good now as when it was taken over 50 years ago...amazing!!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BananaMan.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='BananaMan' />

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Fantastic shot, Steve, fantastic.
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[quote name='Srresquire' date='11 February 2010 - 10:16 AM' timestamp='1265903798' post='363557']

As I have mentioned before I am now working on a book featuring my Dad's old Kodachromes.....well I came across a shot I just had to share with you guys. This is a 5-11 alarm at 1872 N Wilmot in February 1958. The depth of field is kinda rough but I love this shot...You can see 2 56 macks and in the middle a Mack sedan pumper working as well as the remnants of the fire building, complete with wooden ground ladders. I love this shot...makes me feel like I am there!!!! The rearmost Mack is engine 76, and the front one is I believe 43..notice the hard suction hook up....This shot looks as good now as when it was taken over 50 years ago...amazing!!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/BananaMan.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='BananaMan' />

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Awesome shot Steve. Just a slight correction: two Macks so beautifully pictured are 1954 models and the sedan Mack is one of six purchased in 1948.
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[quote name='firebuff55407' date='11 February 2010 - 10:49 AM' timestamp='1265905755' post='363562']

Awesome shot Steve. Just a slight correction: two Macks so beautifully pictured are 1954 models and the sedan Mack is one of six purchased in 1948.

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yup...ya got me!!!! Thanks for the info....These were purchased with CD funds weren't they??
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The old Kodakchrome still beats digital any day !!. I'm still shooting slides.
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Love the old Chi-town stuff...beautiful Macks!
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a 3-11 1420 Morse in 1958..I think this may be 70..Photo by my Dad


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[quote name='Srresquire' date='12 February 2010 - 10:53 AM' timestamp='1265988810' post='363718']

a 3-11 1420 Morse in 1958..I think this may be 70..Photo by my Dad

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Steve,

Great shots. I'm looking forward to seeing your new project once it has been completed.



Jack
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[quote name='SLIPPERYSAM' date='02 July 2009 - 10:17 PM' timestamp='1246589833' post='318639']

Here is one of three The Baltimore County Fire Department got that were built for Chicago. Nice Wagon to work off of.



Balto.County

Engine 61

Dundalk MD



Engine 2,4 and 61 are in active service.

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Was this one of the rigs that was destroyed in the fire last week at Dundalk's quarters?
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Quote:Was this one of the rigs that was destroyed in the fire last week at Dundalk's quarters?



No. Engine 61 was pulled out of the station and used to start fighting the fire. The brand new Engine 6 and the old Engine 6 that it was due to replace were caught in the fire, along with two medic units, a brush truck and a couple Hummers on loan from the Military.
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